2. Introduction
Welcome to Reading Partners!
As a Reading Partner you will
transform the life of a student
by helping them improve their
reading skills. This orientation
will provide a brief introduction
to the Reading Partners
program as well as an overview
of what to expect as a Reading
Partner.
3. About Reading Partners
Reading Partners was founded on the belief that all children deserve
the critical reading skills they need to prepare them for academic,
social and civic success. Our founders recognized that children in
underserved communities don’t have the resources they need to
succeed in school and without individualized support, each year they
continue to fall further and further behind in grade level. In 1999,
Reading Partners (then called YES Reading) was founded to combat
this education crisis facing our nation. Reading Partners has grown
to serve over 5,000 students nationwide with continued plans for
growth.
5. The Achievement Gap
A recent study showed that by third
grade, students from middle to upper
income families have four times the
total vocabulary as those from
economically disadvantaged families
in similar geographic areas. As
struggling students go through
school, the gap in literacy skills
widens – a phenomenon called the
Matthew Effect. Without intervention,
students on this path continue to fall
behind, resulting in low self-
confidence, poor achievement, and
ultimately, school dropout.
6. Program Model
That’s where Reading Partners comes in. We reach
students in elementary school and provide them with
powerful, one-on-one tutoring that helps close their
learning gap. With Reading Partners, children accelerate
their rate of learning, meaning they learn at a faster rate
which helps close the achievement gap.
8. Program Model (cont.)
Volunteers are the heart of Reading Partners. As a
Reading Partner, you will nurture a positive connection
with your student, while helping them develop the
reading skills they need to succeed in life. Reading
Partners is a unique program because you will work one-
on-one with children for one hour per week. By working
one-on-one, you can make important adaptations to
meet each child at their individual pace and learning
style which allows children to feel confident as they
learn.
9. Program Model (cont.)
Reading Partners is designed
specifically to support volunteers.
Tutoring takes place at the children’s
school in a dedicated reading center.
Each Reading Partners reading
center is staffed by a Site
Coordinator who is on hand at all
times to support you during tutoring.
Program Managers, often former
teachers, also visit centers
approximately once a week to help
develop literacy intervention plans
for each student and to coach tutors
throughout their tutoring experience.
11. Program Model (cont.)
Because of all the added support, tutors do not need
any prior experience in order to participate in our
program. All we expect is that you commit to tutoring at
least one hour per week. We know that everyone can
make a huge impact in a child’s life and Reading
Partners is designed to help you make the most of your
time in the classroom.
12. What to Expect
Reading Partners program is extremely structured and easy to
follow:
Each lesson starts with a tutor read aloud. In this portion,
students select a book from the read aloud library for you to
read with them.
After the read aloud you will introduce a new skill using the
lesson plan and students will have an opportunity to practice
the new skill using worksheets.
Finally, students will practice reading during the student read
aloud portion. Once you attend your shadow session you will
learn more information about our curriculum.
Remember, the lessons are structured so that you don’t need any prior
experience. Your Site Coordinator is on hand at all times to support you
throughout the tutoring session! Check out the video on the next slide to
get an inside look at a Reading Center.
13. Tutor Expectations
Reading Partners wants you to have the best experience
possible. In order to help you succeed as a Reading Partner
we ask that you meet the following expectations. As a tutor
you will:
• Use the Reading Partners curriculum when tutoring
students
• Commit to at least one session per week
• Arrive on time and prepared for tutoring
• Communicate any questions, concerns or issues with
your Site Coordinator
• Assist Reading Partners in creating a safe, structured
and positive learning environment for children
14. Tutor Expectations (cont.)
Reading Partners requires all volunteers to undergo a
thorough background check, and in some cases, a
tuberculosis test. This ensures the safety of all students
in the program. You will also be asked to sign a Tutor
Code of Conduct which specifically details the
expectations of the program.
15. Tutor Expectations (cont.)
In exchange, Reading Partners will:
• Provide training and tutoring support to empower
you as a tutor to effectively support student’s
academic progress
• Provide continual support to you during the school
year via check-ins and debrief sessions with your Site
Coordinator
• Provide a safe, positive and structured
environment conducive to learning
• Answer any questions you may have as a tutor
• Keep all your contact information strictly
confidential
16. Next Steps
Your next step is to come in for your shadow session. At
the shadow session you’ll meet your Site Coordinator,
get oriented to the reading center, and observe tutoring.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach us at
volunteer@readingpartners.org. Make sure to include
your name and region in the email.
We can’t wait to see you soon!
